CDPHP Cycle! sees steady growth in third year

ALBANY — Capital Region bike share program CDPHP Cycle! has surpassed 10,000 members in its third summer.

The Capital District Transportation Authority and CDPHP said Tuesday that more than 24,000 rides have been taken on the bikes so far this year, already surpassing the goal for the entire April 1-Nov. 30 season and putting it on course for nearly 40,000 rides for the 2019 season.

When the 2018 season ended, 25,000 rides had been recorded.

The program places racks of rental bikes at strategically spaced hubs across the region for members’ use. It’s a way to enjoy the breeze in one’s face on a summer afternoon, or make a quick hop across town when necessary, or both — all without the upfront cost or maintenance and storage requirements of owning a bike.

The partners said the region’s biggest city, Albany, has accounted for the majority of the rides. Troy sees the second-highest ridership, followed by Saratoga Springs and then Schenectady.

“We are happy to see people value this program as much as we do,” said CDTA CEO Carm Basile. “This mode of transportation is a healthier and more environmentally friendly way to get around, and it is great to see it be embraced by the Capital Region.”

CDPHP said one of the factors leading to increased ridership this year was elimination of the out-of-hub fee. Now, when they’re done riding, riders can now lock their bikes to any fixed object in the program area, as long as it doesn’t block the public right of way. This allows riders freer movement.

Also, businesses, schools and organizations can purchase discounted memberships; among these, RPI and Albany Medical Center currently have the largest ridership.

Alternately, riders can load a pay-as-you-go account online or download the CDPHP Cycle! mobile app; an hourly pass works out to about 8 cents a mile.

Information including additional rental fees and rack locations is online at www.cdphpcycle.com.